My second bike, want to build but what?

[Wigsie]

Ok so I have my fancy new road bike and am loving it!

Only problem is its not exactly the most practical bike for riding with my kids, I cant attach a trailer/child seat and cant go to the shops on it (they wont let me push it round sainsburys).

So I was looking at building something but what? My friend has suggested converting an old steel road frame into a single speed/fixie possibly with chunkier cyclocross tyres on it an admitedly I like the sound of that over a mountain bike style.

But is that pretty much the main difference between road and cyclocross bikes? the clearance for wider tyres and brakes?

Any other decent idea's?

 

[Black Sheep]

i think the geometry is more relaxed on a cyclocross along with being a bit of a tougher build (similar to the old steel road bikes some of us still use) with more clearance for wheels and guards

however there is an insanity test required to start riding cyclocross

 

[scook94]

i think the geometry is more relaxed on a cyclocross along with being a bit of a tougher build (similar to the old steel road bikes some of us still use) with more clearance for wheels and guards

however there is an insanity test required to start riding cyclocross

You mean the bike or the race?

 

[Randochap]

A "fixie" for towing the kids around?

To my mind a practical utility bicycle has gears and wider tyres. Whether that be derailleur gears or internal hub.

I'd like to build up a utility bike. My plan is to do a 650b conversion (allows big tyres) on an older 700C steel frame. That means a wheelset and extra long-reach (72mm) brakes in most cases. I'll use French-style "porteur" flat bars, with a nice bend and install aluminium mudguards.

Gearing will be middle-of-the-road. Probably a double w/ medium-range cassette or freewheel.

It'll look something like a modest version of my Bleriot -- which is all round the most comfortable bicycle I own.